Do you say "hi" to passing people?

[Dr. OneWay]

I find this hard for me. I mean, I do it. But I only say "hi" if I know they are going to say "hi" back. I know, this is such a stupid question, but it is a weird concept. None of the people I normally pass know me, yet I feel its being rude if I just walk on buy without saying hello. Some of them have even given me glares before, which is odd, considering they could take the initiative and just say "hi". What are your feelings on this, if any?

[Daredevil_2003]

Eh I try to and surprisingly a good number say hi back or even first. But then there's always that asshat, pardon my French, who doesn't respond and sometimes will even give you a dirty look. It's like being polite is the 8th deadly sin in today's world.

[Kagetsu]

There was a show about human behavior, in citys where you pass large numbers of people you're ignored as though you're a tree in a forest, so no, it isn't rude.

I have found from experience saying hi to passing strangers is not a good idea. You will get at least a few very strange propositions :sweat:

[Michael24]

The only time I talk in passing to a stranger is if they hold the door open for me at a store, or I hold it open it for them, then I'll say "Thanks" or "You're welcome. Otherwise, I don't bother going out of my way to say anything uless they do first.

[FireStarterLE]

they'd have to say hi first; i've found in the past when i use to did it, it went for nothing .. so if they dont i wont

[Kury Wagner]

I say "hello" to random people a lot, but more often I just do the friendly hello-nod. It depends on the vibe the person gives off.

I think that it takes guts for people just to strike up a conversation, and so when they do that with me, I try to go with it.

[RD!]

It depends. If you pass by someone and there's eye contact made Hell yes I say Hi to them.

[Colin]

I think it all depends on the situation...

Recently, I've taken up going on walks at the two local reservoirs w/my parents, and people say hi to each other passing by all the time, so I join right in.

Also, in the retail world, it adds a bit of personalization to the shoppers experience when an employee just says hello in a friendly manner and not seem over bearing. It's a nicer approach than "Can I help you find anything?" and makes the customer feel less pressured...

[Dr. OneWay]

Eh I try to and surprisingly a good number say hi back or even first. But then there's always that *******, pardon my French, who doesn't respond and sometimes will even give you a dirty look. It's like being polite is the 8th deadly sin in today's world.

Same thing here! I recently passed this kid in my neighborhood, about the same age as I am, and I was like "Hey", and he was being such an ass, he just ignored my greeting and gave me a dirty look. As if saying a friendly greeting is bad these days! *shakes head*

[Anniemaniac]

I only say "hi" to other people if i already know them or if they talk to me first, im too shy otherwise.

[Youko Recca]

Depends. If you a female, there's a high probability I'll drop a line. Especially if I'm interested in your, uh, aura. However, I could care less if you're some dude who I am seeing for the first time in my life. Why should I go out my way? I mean, where I live now it wouldn't get you mugged to do such a thing, but eh...don't care much. Now if someone comes up to me and greets, then I'll respond as I should.

[Mr. Pedro]

Also, in the retail world, it adds a bit of personalization to the shoppers experience when an employee just says hello in a friendly manner and not seem over bearing. It's a nicer approach than "Can I help you find anything?" and makes the customer feel less pressured...

Those six words absolutely drive me up a wall. That and "will that be all for you?". Especially when I'm about to have something rung up. I mean, if that weren't "all" for me, I wouldn't have ended my browsing so soon. :shrug:

Anywho, in general, I never speak to strangers unless spoken to first. When passing by someone in the street and happen to make eye contact, I will acknowledge then and maybe/kinda/sorta smile. Not too much more than that though.

[Beyond Batman]

Yes.

Remember, a stranger is just a friend you haven't met yet.

[Zubby]

There was a show about human behavior, in citys where you pass large numbers of people you're ignored as though you're a tree in a forest, so no, it isn't rude.

I have found from experience saying hi to passing strangers is not a good idea. You will get at least a few very strange propositions :sweat:

Whoever made that show hasn't been to Chicago. Maybe the stereotypes about the midwest are true, but people are really friendly here. People say hi on the street all the time.
I will say, though, that people are more likely to say hello on the south side than on the north. And walking through my neighborhood, a quiet residential area, everyone says hello when you pass, much more so than in a commercial area.

[Captain Highwind]

It depends. If you pass by someone and there's eye contact made Hell yes I say Hi to them.

Same here. It's like if you don't say hi or some form of acknowledgement time just stops, or it's just a really awkward moment that seems like forever.

Like that anime cliche where two people pass in opposite directions and the screen freezes to a stillframe or does that closing cropmark thing.

What really creeps me out is when they give me the evil eye until I do say hi. Then they're all smiles.

[Zinal]

I only say "hi" if I already know them or they say "hi" first or for other reasons.

[purplehairedwonder]

It depends. If you pass by someone and there's eye contact made Hell yes I say Hi to them.
Same here. If they say Hi to me, I'll respond and if they make eye contact I'll give them a polite smile, which is usually returned. If someone holds a door for me I always say Thanks and if I do it for someone and they thank me, I'll definitely respond. It's the polite thing to do.

[HeeHaw9]

I'd rather give the friendly smile. It's easier than saying "hi" to strangers. So far, no one has given me looks for smiling at them.

[Wanted]

Of course not... if the person says "hello" or "what's up?" to me, then I respond. If they don't make any sort of eye contact with me, then I just shrug it off, like "forget it." I'm not going to go out of my way to get the attention of someone who's likely in their own place.

I think that it takes guts for people just to strike up a conversation... which is why I don't.



I'm craven.

[TheGLIVEN]

I always do!


Why is that wierd or somehting?

[Kaoru]

You only have a chanse of getting a "hi" in suburbs I figure. Even there sometimes when they glare at me as if I fell from the moon I feel rather uncomfortable. I also feel uncomfortable when someone tells me "hi" and I fail to respond in time so I don't want to respond late and look silly. I resent people who reward politeness with a "getouttamyway" attitude or just ignore you and the ordeal of hospitality.

Also when they see me a few times when I become a local it usually becomes smoother and the tension eases up a bit.

[True Noir]

Most of the time I do say 'hi and smile', because it's a polite thing to do and I like people in general. I live in a really nice town so the people are really nice. The only time I don't say 'hi' to people is if they seem like they are in a bad mood, or if they are just some guy trying to hit on me (which are usually those weird guys that work at like supermarkets and department stores *shutters*. Those are the times I wanna yell 'I'm gay' at them...:sweat:).

[mookie75]

Being an introverted city-dweller, I'll admit that I don't say "hi" to random people very often.

This thread does make me think of a behavior that is common from my rural roots though. Down in "small town Minnesota," it's very common while driving down the road to wave to a person that you pass going the other direction. It may be a full-fledged wave or simply a lifting of the fingers from around the steering wheel, but it almost seems odd when it doesn't happen in those parts.

[Gatomon41]

When I'm a good mood I wave.

[Elven Moon]

Rarely, but sometimes I smile :)

[ToOn~g@l]

I tend to wave at a lot of little kids now these days. they will look at me and I will smile and wave. I blame that from working at Disney World where you had to smile and wave at everyone. I guess old habits never die.

[MarineDweller]

I find this hard for me. I mean, I do it. But I only say "hi" if I know they are going to say "hi" back. I know, this is such a stupid question, but it is a weird concept. None of the people I normally pass know me, yet I feel its being rude if I just walk on buy without saying hello. Some of them have even given me glares before, which is odd, considering they could take the initiative and just say "hi". What are your feelings on this, if any?
I can never say hi to a passerby,like,come on, do we even know those people? neway, I do smile at them,but Most people are doubtful on u when u(a stranger) say a 'hi' to them,agreed?

[Master Moron]

I find this hard for me. I mean, I do it. But I only say "hi" if I know they are going to say "hi" back. I know, this is such a stupid question, but it is a weird concept. None of the people I normally pass know me, yet I feel its being rude if I just walk on buy without saying hello. Some of them have even given me glares before, which is odd, considering they could take the initiative and just say "hi". What are your feelings on this, if any?

You mean strangers? Only when I'm drunk.

If you mean friends, then yeah I normally say hi. However, keep in mind that if someone doesn't say hi back it doesn't necessarily mean they're ignoring you. Often times I've had people say hi to me and I don't respond for a number of reasons. One time I had water in my mouth and by the time I swallowed she was gone. Another time I was rather surprised that a person said hi to me and my the time I realized that I should say hi back she was already gone. There are a number of reasons why people don't say hi back.

[Aquadementia]

Sometimes I even say howdy.

It depends though. The more crowded things are or the less familiar, the less likely I'm going to say hi. And I'm not going to if it feels like I'm intruding.

It just seems like if someone is there, I feel like I should at least acknowledge their existence.

If they don't say hi back, it's not a big deal.
Whatever ya feel comfortable with.
Also, in the retail world, it adds a bit of personalization to the shoppers experience when an employee just says hello in a friendly manner and not seem over bearing. It's a nicer approach than "Can I help you find anything?" and makes the customer feel less pressured...Yeah, I prefer that because I rarely want help in a store. Once in a blue moon maybe.
I tend to wave at a lot of little kids now these days. they will look at me and I will smile and wave. I blame that from working at Disney World where you had to smile and wave at everyone. I guess old habits never die.Now my sense of absurdity really wants you to get a job where you sing.

Howdy y'all,
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v421/Aquadementia/smile/drip.gifAD

[Jex]

I say hi to the people I see often. Not strangers, unless I've seen there somewhere before. Now, if it's a hawt girl, I'll defenetly say hi.

[NewGenious]

Sometimes, depends on what mood I'm in.

[Natey]

Most of the time,no, even to people i know. I will only say hi if someone says "hi" to me. I still have a hard time saying hi back because i am a shy fly.

[Beguiled]

Well, I just love talking to new people in general, so yes, I almost ALWAYS say hi and smile! Having someone smile in a friendly way always makes me happy! So I try to return the favor--those who don't like it are just....well maybe they're just having a bad day. :)

[jrh31584]

Rarely, but I virtually always respond to those who say something to me.

[Simpler Simon]

Not really hi, but if someones walking towards me and there's no large crowd to blend into, I tend to give them a smile/nod/wave in acknowledgement, and they usually give one back. Probably not quite the question being asked here, as I suspect more people will do that then actually say 'hi'.

I do however, say hi to people at the counter when i enter a store. Most here are friendly enough to say hi to you first anyways.